Best Free AniWave (9anime) Sites, The Safe Alternatives in 2025

AniWave(9anime), once a favorite platform for Anime lovers across the world, often searches for platforms that stream their favorite shows in high definition without breaking the bank. For many years, AniWave (9anime) held a prominent place in that space, offering a vast library of anime for free. But legal and technical pressures have forced many of its versions offline or blocked. In 2025, fans still need reliable replacements. 

In this article, I will explain all about AniWave (formerly 9anime), some known proxy sites, and present legal and free alternatives that let you stream anime in HD. I also share safety tips for accessing proxies and answer common questions. 

So, let’s get started!

Journey of 9anime Real Website

The site that most people knew as 9anime underwent a series of name changes and legal battles before it was finally shut down. Operators rebranded the service as Aniwave in 2023 after repeated DMCA complaints and site blocking efforts, but these measures only delayed an eventual takedown. 

In August 2024, a coordinated enforcement action, supported by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment and local Vietnamese authorities, removed Aniwave and several related piracy sites from the web. The operators posted farewell messages encouraging users to switch to legal services. 

After the shutdown, several clone and mirror domains appeared, but many of them are unsafe and flagged by security tools as riskware.

AniWave (9anime) Proxy Sites

When the main 9anime domains become blocked, proxies or mirror domains often surface to bypass restrictions. Below are some of the proxy or mirror sites that users have used (note: status may change frequently, and many are unsafe):

9anime Working proxy sites are:

9anime.org.lv/ (Working)

9animetv.to/ (Working)

9anime.za.com/ (Working)

aniwave.beauty/ (Working)

aniwave.media/ (Working)

aniwave.digital/ (Working)

AniWave (9anime) Unavailable Proxy & Mirrors

9anime.gg

9anime.nl

9anime.ws

9anime.live

9anime.zone

9anime.video

9anime.page

9anime.life

9anime.one

9anime.love

10 Legal & Free 9anime Alternatives

Below are eleven legal platforms where you can stream anime (or at least portions of anime content) without piracy. I focus on availability by region (excluding India) and their strengths.

Crunchyroll (Free Tier)

Crunchyroll is one of the most recognized legal anime streaming services worldwide. In many countries (the US, Canada, Europe, and parts of Latin America), Crunchyroll offers a free ad-supported tier that allows users to stream many episodes of anime in HD. While simulcasts and latest episodes sometimes wait a week for free users, the catalog is extensive and includes classics and recent hits. It supports multiple languages of subtitles. Because it holds licensing rights with Japanese studios, it is fully legal.

Tubi TV (Anime Section)

Tubi TV is a free, ad-supported streaming platform licensed in the United States and parts of Latin America. It includes an anime section with full series, movies, and classic titles. Users outside of the U.S. may need a VPN or regional access, depending on licensing. The platform maintains proper legal deals with rights holders, offering HD streaming where available.

RetroCrush

RetroCrush specializes in classic and vintage anime. It is free with ads in the U.S. (and expanding to Canada and the UK) and offers curated selections of older series that contemporary fans still love. Because many older works now have less restrictive licensing or legacy agreements, RetroCrush can legally host them. It’s perfect for nostalgia-driven viewers seeking HD quality without piracy.

Pluto TV (Anime Channels / Blocks)

Pluto TV, available legally in the U.S. and select countries, includes certain anime channels or blocks in its free live TV lineup. These streams are licensed and ad-supported. While it may not carry every popular anime, it offers a legal way to watch animated shows in available regions.

Crunchyroll on The Roku Channel / FAST Channels

In some regions, Crunchyroll has launched a “FAST” (Free Ad-Supported Television) channel available via The Roku Channel or other platforms. This lets viewers watch curated anime content for free through licensed streaming deals. It extends Crunchyroll’s legal reach to audiences through television-style channels.

HIDIVE (Free Preview / Limited Titles)

HIDIVE is a subscription-based anime service, but it sometimes offers free previews or limited access in certain regions (such as the U.S., Canada). While not fully free for most content, its legal catalog and occasional free episodes make it a legitimate supplement for anime fans who want to try before subscribing.

VRV (Free / Bundled Offers in U.S.)

In the U.S., VRV bundles anime services including Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, and others. Some of these services allow free episodes or ad-supported viewing in their included catalog. While VRV itself is not always free, its structure lets users access legal anime through one platform.

YouTube (Official Anime Channels)

Many anime studios and licensors run official YouTube channels globally (except where restricted). Channels like Muse Asia, Ani-One Asia, FUNimation, and others upload episodes legally with subtitles or dubs in many regions. These streams are licensed, legal, and often in HD. Viewers in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other regions benefit especially from regionally licensed uploads.

Viewster / CONtv (Anime-Licensed Content)

In regions such as Europe and North America, platforms like Viewster (now part of CONtv) maintain an anime catalog as part of their free, ad-supported library. Licensing agreements allow them to stream certain anime episodes or movies legally. Users should check availability in their country.

AnimeLab (Australia / New Zealand)

For users in Australia and New Zealand, AnimeLab (now under the Funimation/Crunchyroll umbrella) provides a free tier with ad support. Many anime episodes are accessible for free legally, while premium content is reserved for subscribers. This gives fans in those regions a safe and licensed option.

These platforms are intended to provide legal access to anime. Always confirm your country’s availability and check their free or ad-supported tiers.

How to Access 9anime/AniWave Proxy Sites Safely?

If you still decide to visit proxy or mirror sites (though discouraged), here are safety precautions to reduce risk:

• Do not click on download prompts or plugin offers.
  
• Use an up-to-date antivirus with real-time protection.
  
• Use a browser with strong pop-up and ad blockers enabled.
  
• Visit proxies only via links from trusted communities, but understand that trust is limited.
  
• Restrict permissions (camera, microphone, file system) on your browser.
  
• Use a separate profile or sandboxed browser session for risky sites.
  
• Avoid entering personal or payment data.
  
• Check for HTTPS and valid certificates.
  
• Clear cookies, site data, and cache after the session.
  
• Know local laws and avoid piracy activity.

These steps reduce some dangers, but they do not make the site legal or fully safe.

FAQs

Is 9anime legal or safe to use in 2025?

No. 9anime is widely considered illegal because it streams anime content without proper licensing. Many domain versions have been blocked or shut down due to copyright enforcement. It is unsafe due to the risk of malware, scams, and intrusive ads.

Why do proxies of 9anime keep changing?

Authorities and hosting services often shut down unauthorized domains. To stay online, operators create new mirror or proxy domains. These constantly cycle in and out of service to evade blocks.

What regions do legal anime platforms support?

It depends on licensing. Platforms like Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, and Funimation support many countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. Others, like AnimeLab, focus on Australia/New Zealand. YouTube official channels often serve Southeast Asia and other zones. Always check the platform’s availability in your country.

Can I watch new simulcast series for free?

Often not immediately. Many legal platforms reserve the most recent episodes for paying users or offer them after a delay in the free tier. Licensing deals typically restrict instant free streaming of new simulcast episodes.

Are the free tiers limited in quality or speed?

Sometimes yes. Free tiers may limit resolution (for example, 720p instead of 1080p), enforce more ads, or restrict concurrent device usage compared to premium tiers.

Will legal platforms have my favorite anime library?

They may not carry every series due to licensing constraints. But legal libraries usually cover many popular current and classic titles. If a series is missing, it may be licensed separately or regionally restricted.

Conclusion

While 9anime once filled the void for free anime lovers, its legal, technical, and security challenges make it unstable and risky. The future lies in legal, licensed platforms that deliver anime safely and respect creators.

In 2025, popular services such as Crunchyroll (free tier), Tubi, RetroCrush, Pluto TV, HIDIVE previews, VRV bundles, official YouTube channels, Viewster/CONtv, and AnimeLab offer viewers legitimate ways to stream HD anime in many regions